National Research and Innovation Dialogue Universities South Africa 7 &8 April 2016 Emperors Palace Prof Anastassios Pouris University of Pretoria South Africa
International Comparative Study of Funding Instruments for Research and Innovation Contents Objectives Approach Findings Recommendations Discussion
1 To identify and examine funding instruments used in other developing countries (mainly South Korea, Brazil and China) to achieve international competitiveness and encourage and incentivize research and innovation; 2 To make specific and contextually-relevant recommendations on how such instruments could be adopted in, and adapted for South Africa to facilitate, encourage, incentivize and strengthen cross-sectoral R&D partnerships in the National System of Innovation; and 3 To assist USAf to make a case to government for funding for university sector research and innovation activities aligned to national development imperatives.
Multi-method approach Review R&D Importance Discussions with stakeholders Literature Review of Funding Instruments Synthesis and Report Writing
Innovation is recognised internationally as the fundamental cornerstone of economic growth, employment, international competitiveness and development. Innovation can address developmental challenges such as providing access to drinking water, eradicating neglected diseases or reducing hunger. Examples: the polio vaccine; the new seed varieties which launched the Asian Green Revolution; anti retroviral drugs that rendered HIV/AIDS a chronic and manageable disease; the M-PESA mobile payment platform etc.
Edwin Mansfield (1991) estimated that academic research delivered an annual rate of return of 28%. Murphy et al (2013) concluded that the likely returns from medical research are so extraordinarily high that the pay-off from any plausible portfolio of investments in research would be enormous. In SA Universities contribute 2.1% of GDP (more than textiles and forestry) and they employ 300.000 employees (=mining).(pouris et al 2014)
Both empirical evidence and theory support the involvement and support of government for research, development and innovation.
Linear Model: sponsored R&D; direct subsidies; tax incentives Chain Linked Model: strategic research partnerships; research joint ventures; university based start ups; networks; P/PP Clustering Smart specialization Research Excellence Initiatives
Different policy objectives require different instruments I.e. horses for courses An EC study identified that on average each country has 50 r&d&i instruments Popularity: Innovation support Fiscal incentives Cluster initiatives
In China and Korea science and technology have been adopted by their political leadership as primary productive forces and sources of economic development. In Brazil R&D is supported by extrabudgetary sectorial funds (sustainability). The funds are supported by levies and special taxes.
Marx was quite right to say that science and technology are part of the productive forces, but now it seems his statement was incomplete. The complete statement should be that science and technology constitute a primary productive force. The future of agriculture will eventually lie in bioengineering and other highly advanced technologies. So we must recognize the full importance of science and technology. We should put more money and effort into developing them and into developing agriculture and education. We should try every way to expand education, even if it means slowing down in other fields (Deng Xiaoping, China 2011).
The structure of the governance of S&T&I reflects their recognition of the importance of science, technology and innovation. In China The National Steering Group for S&T and Education in the State Council coordinates all education, research, and innovation related activities. It consists of nine member ministries or agencies. In Korea the National Science and Technology Commission is a permanent administrative body under the President's Office. In Brazil the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade jointly define the industrial and technological policy priorities and in partnership with the Ministry of Finance establish the distribution of the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development.
Comparison of the value added of knowledge and technology intensive industries of South Africa and the comparator countries shows that South Africa has very small size of KTI industries. Governments all over the world support the development of high technology industries based on the conviction that knowledge- and technology-intensive economies create wellpaying jobs, contribute high-value output and ensure economic competitiveness across the economy in general. These knowledge- and technology-intensive industries combined contributed just under $18.2 trillion to global economic output about 30% of world GDP during 2010. These industries are dependent on university research for their performance and growth.
Foresight exercises are important in focusing the political authorities on issues of priorities in science, technology and innovation. China, Korea and Brazil undertake regularly foresight exercises.
Korea 4.36 China 1.84 Brazil 1.16 South Africa 0.76
Universities South Africa has the responsibility and mandate to facilitate the development of informed public policy related to Universities. Universities South Africa should institutionalise advocacy activities within the organisation. Identify universities contributions to economy, Provinces and development. Monitor technology transfer. Approve relevant statistics for sector.
Triple helix based instruments are powerful bringing together Government-Industry and Universities. An appropriate structured instrument has the potentials to bring to Universities up to one billion Rand per year (directly) with substantial benefits for the country s industry. Universities South Africa should approach the relevant authorities for the establishment of such programmes.
The DST s efforts to increase the number of PhDs by supporting them to study abroad provide an opportunity for the local universities. Universities South Africa should encourage its members to use innovative approaches that could increase PhD enrolments. Examples include the Structured Doctoral Programmes; increase of high quality supervisors (short times at SA) etc.
Foresight activities are useful for planning science and technology funding; strategic decisions; defining the strategy of an industry or sector; improving long term competitiveness; copying with changes in the socio-economic framework; attracting the attention of political authorities etc. Universities South Africa should consider the undertaking of foresight exercises for the University sector.
A number of programmatic activities can be offered for South Africa s development and the knowledge-based economy. Support for emerging technologies is recognised internationally as of critical importance for industrial development and competitiveness. Emerging technologies are developed at Universities, create relevant spin offs and develop a knowledge intensive economy Sector Specific Innovation Funds The Innovation Fund for Small Technology-based Firms SPARK Programme supporting rural development
Using levies and small special taxes has the potential to protect R&D expenditures from budgetary variations. Universities South Africa together with the funding agencies supporting university research (i.e. NRF, WRC, MRC and SANEDI) should consider discussing the issue with DST and Treasury.